Method and apparatus for light emitting diode traffic signal

Abstract

A light emitting diode traffic signal apparatus and method used for shaping and directing a desired beam path of light. The apparatus orients a plurality of LED lamps using a mounting surface assembly coupled to a traffic signal head. The method includes orienting the plurality of LED lamps by mounting LED lamps to a surface assembly within the traffic signal head. The surface assembly is oriented using predetermined calculations.

1 . A light head for a traffic signal housing, comprising: 
 a plurality of LED lamps affixed to and projecting from substrate inclined therein conductive pathways formed thereon for supplying power thereto; and    the plurality of LED lamps may be selectively oriented on the substrate at least during fabrication thereof, so as to shape output light beam.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein an LED lamp generates a cone shaped light pattern ranging between 6 and 30°.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the LED lamp generates an optimum 8° cone shaped light pattern.  
   
   
       4 . The emitted cone shaped light pattern of  claim 2 , comprising a 1 inch (2.5 cm) long light pattern.  
   
   
       5 . The emitted cone shaped light pattern of  claim 2 , wherein each light pattern overlaps at a distance greater than 1 inch (2.5 cm).  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus  claim 1 , wherein the substrate comprises a hot resin formation or cold resin formation.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of LED lamps sit generally perpendicular to a planar surface the substrate.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the substrate is affixed to the traffic signal housing by welding, stapling, glue, or fasteners.  
   
   
       9 . A light head for a traffic signal housing, comprising: 
 a mounting structure for coupling a traffic signal housing; and    a plurality of LED lamps selectively oriented obliquely at least relative to each other in the mounting structure so that respective projected outputs thereof are combined and shaped to form a selected pattern including at least one of desired intensity and direction.    
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein an LED lamp generates a cone shaped light pattern ranging between 6 and 30°.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the LED lamp generates an optimum 8° cone shaped light pattern.  
   
   
       12 . The emitted cone shaped light pattern of  claim 10 , comprising a 1 inch (2.5 cm) long light pattern.  
   
   
       13 . The emitted cone shaped light pattern of  claim 10 , wherein each light pattern overlaps at a distance greater than 1 inch (2.5 cm).  
   
   
       14 . The apparatus  claim 9 , wherein the mounting structure comprises at least one printed circuit board, at least one wing plate, and at least one vertical plate.  
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the plurality of LED lamps sit generally perpendicular to a planar surface in the at least one printed circuit board.  
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one printed circuit board is affixed to the wing plate by welding, stapling, glue, or fasteners.  
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the at least one printed circuit board is angled generally downward by the at least one vertical plate from a back surface of the signal housing.  
   
   
       18 . The apparatus  claim 14 , wherein the at least one wing plate orients the at least one printed circuit board inward from a center line of the at least one vertical plate.  
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the at least one vertical plate is affixed to the at least one wing plate and a back surface of the signal housing by welding, stapling, glue, or fasteners.  
   
   
       20 . A method of shaping a desired beam path of light, method comprising: 
 coupling a mounting assembly to a signal housing;    orienting a plurality of LED lamps coupled to the mounting assembly within the signal housing; and    transmitting a signal from the signal housing to a street using a traffic signal device.    
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 20  wherein an LED lamp generates a cones shaped light pattern ranging between 6 and 30°.  
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the LED lamp generates an optimum 8° cone shaped light pattern.  
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the emitted cone shaped light pattern comprises a 1 inch (2.5 cm) long light pattern.  
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the emitted cone shaped light pattern overlaps at a distance greater than 1 inch (2.5 cm).  
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the mounting surface assembly comprises at least one printed circuit board, at least one wing plate, and at least one vertical plate.  
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the plurality of LED lamps are arrayed on the at least one printed circuit board equidistant between other.  
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the plurality of LED lamps sit generally perpendicular to a planar surface of the at least one printed circuit board.  
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the printed circuit board is mounted generally flat onto the wing plate.  
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the at least one printed circuit board is angled downward 4.6° by the at least one vertical plate from a back surface of a signal housing.  
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the wing plate positions the printed circuit board inward by an angle of 3.5° from a center line of the at least one vertical plate.  
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the at least one vertical plate is affixed to the at least one wing plate and a back surface of the signal housing by welding, stapling, fasteners, or glue.  
   
   
       32 . A mounting plate assembly for a light head of a traffic signal housing, comprising: 
 at least one printed circuit board, at least one wing plate, and at least one vertical plate coupled to a signal housing.    
   
   
       33 . The apparatus of  claim 32 , wherein the at least one printed circuit board is affixed to the wing plate by welding, stapling, glue, or fasteners.  
   
   
       34 . The apparatus of  claim 32 , wherein the printed circuit board is angled generally downward by the at least one vertical plate from a back surface of the signal housing.  
   
   
       35 . The apparatus of  claim 32 , wherein the at least one wing plate orients the at least one printed circuit board inward from a center line of the at least one vertical plate.  
   
   
       36 . The apparatus of  claim 32 , wherein the at least one vertical plate is affixed to the at least one wing plate and a back surface of the signal housing by welding, stapling, glue, or fasteners.